mergiel.ninja Sheet 1 of 1
Hobby tailoring · pattern sheet

Everything here started as a flat sheet of paper.

I'm a hobby tailor with a ninja habit. These are the latest things I made, with the fabric, the pattern, and whatever went wrong on the way.

Seam allowance
1.5 cm
Pieces so far
7
Machine
1962 straight stitch
Lay out the pieces Who's cutting
Front Cut 1 on fold Place on fold Sleeve Cut 2 mirrored Hem 3 cm mergiel.ninja · size 38 · 1:1 Test square: 5 cm
Pocket · cut 2
The maker looking at the camera, in a blue mask and embroidered headband, pins in a wrist cushion
Latest pieces · newest first

The cutting plan

Every piece gets a photo once it's finished and ironed. Until then you get the fabric and the outline. Hover one to lift it off the sheet.

Wool melton, dark collarOct 2026

Grey wool coat

Pattern drafted off an old raincoat. Took three weekends, one of them just the collar.

Newest · Front · cut 2
Cotton chambraySep 2026

Chambray shirt

Second attempt. The first one had the pocket on the wrong side.

Back · cut 1 on fold
Navy wool flannelSep 2026

High-rise trousers

Hand-felled seams because the machine was being difficult that week.

Leg · cut 2 mirrored
Printed viscoseAug 2026

Floral tea dress

Fabric from the Saturday market. Cut on the bias, which I slightly regret.

Skirt · cut 2 on bias
Olive cotton, wool battingJul 2026

Quilted vest

Made for cycling in November. Pockets big enough for gloves.

Front · cut 2
Navy cotton twillJun 2026

Wide pleated trousers

The pleats took a whole evening to press properly.

Leg · cut 2
Washed linenMay 2026

Linen camp shirt

Gave it away before I photographed it. Making another.

Front · cut 2
Alterations log

What I changed, and why

Short notes to my future self. If you sew, some of this might save you an evening.

  • Sorted out the tension problem on the old machine.

    It was the bobbin all along. It usually is.

  • Switched to a walking foot for the waxed cotton.

    Stopped the top layer creeping. Should have done this years ago.

  • Drafted a trouser block that finally fits.

    Fourth attempt. The rise was the issue every single time.

  • Pre-washed all the linen in one go.

    Shrank about 4 percent. Glad I measured before.
Flat illustration of the maker in a mask and headband at a sewing machine, with fabric bolts and pattern drawings on the wall
The shop sign, drawn by a friend. The needles on the back are not for sewing.
About

Who's cutting

Hi. I'm the one at the machine. By day I do something else entirely. In the evenings I cut, pin and sew in a small room that has far too much fabric in it.

It started with a torn pair of jeans a few years ago. I fixed them, badly, and liked it enough to keep going. Now most of what I wear started as a flat piece of cloth on that table.

Nothing here is for sale. I put things up so friends can see them and so I keep finishing what I start.

Sewing since
2019
Fabric in the room
41 m
Seam ripper use
Weekly